Potential energy diagram for a nuclear reaction

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the potential energy diagram for a nuclear reaction involving 1 mole of an unspecified reactant. Participants analyze multiple-choice options regarding whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic, with energy changes ranging from 550 kJ to 2.2x1022 kJ. The consensus indicates that the energy values presented, particularly 2.2x1022 kJ, are unrealistic for a single mole of reactant. The conversation highlights the confusion surrounding the energy output of nuclear reactions and the validity of the test question posed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear reactions, including fusion and fission
  • Familiarity with potential energy diagrams
  • Knowledge of energy units, specifically kJ and J
  • Basic grasp of Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle (E = mc2)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the characteristics of exothermic and endothermic nuclear reactions
  • Study potential energy diagrams specific to nuclear reactions
  • Examine real-world examples of energy outputs in nuclear fission and fusion
  • Learn about the implications of energy calculations using E = mc2 in nuclear physics
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for exams in nuclear physics, educators developing test questions on energy diagrams, and anyone interested in the principles of nuclear reactions and their energy outputs.

shredder666
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Saw this on a test question today, it asked if you had 1 mole of reactant (don't know what kind of reactant though...), what would the nuclear reaction potential energy diagram look (don't know if its fusion or fission or exothermic or endothermic it just said nuclear reaction...)? (The reaction progress vs. potential energy diagram that compares energy of reactant and product)

Its multiple choice since I can't really draw, I'll describe it I'll try to draw tho

a) shows that the reaction is exothermic with potential change of 550kj, two horizontal (slope is 0) lines that looks something like this

-_

b) shows the reaction is exothermic with Energy change of 2.2x10^22KJ (I have no idea where my teacher gets these data lol) that looks like the "graph" above but just more energy released

c) shows the reaction is endothermic with energy change of 550kj

_-

d) shows the reaction is exothermic with energy change of 2.2x10^22KJ
\_

The graph for d is less slant (with like a slope of 1 or something)

I chose d) for the answer cus it doesn't make sense to me how 20 times the energy of a strong Earth quake could be released in an instant =/

EDIT: ok uhh the "diagram" isn't showing up right lol, I made it a lot smaller...
 
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Do you really not konw what the reaction is and you have to say what the potential energy diagram looks like?

Nuclear reactions that are endothermic involve shooting atoms at each other at high speeds.

2.2*10^22 KJ is far more energy than could be produced by any nuclear reaction from a mole of stuff, including converting the entire mass to energy. you can only get E = mc^2 of energy.
m < 1kg and c^2 is only 9*10^17, so E < 9*10^17 J

550 KJ/mole is a very small energy for a nuclear reaction. Most chemical reactions produce more energy.
 
well I remember the test, and its crystal clear in my mind

The numbers aren't wrong... I didn't think it made sense but I guessed that nuclear reaction would be more energetic than just 500kj lol

And there was no given equation or quantity at all just 1 mole, and it tells that its a nuclear reaction lol

Do you think this is bad question?
 

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